Turn to the Lord

Dear Friends,

The Psalmist writes, “I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble and you fill me with the joy of salvation.” The Leper, really breaking with the tradition and the laws of Leviticus, confesses his belief in the power of Jesus and has the courage to approach him. And Paul invites us to be imitators of him as he is of Christ. These examples of faith are a great starting point for a week in which we prepare to enter the holy season of Lent.

Who do you turn to in times of trouble? My hope and prayer for each of you is that you don’t have times of trouble too often. In our imperfect world, though, we all from time to time have periods of darkness, times of trouble. The Psalmist suggests that we turn to the Lord during those times and the Lord will fill us with the joy of salvation. The fruitful and effective power of prayer changes things.

A question asked on the required questionnaire in marriage preparation asks the couple, “Do you regularly pray for your future spouse?” Surprisingly, the answer is, the majority of the times, “No.” I encourage couples to pray with and for each other, not only during the hour they spend together at Mass, but throughout the week. I think the same goes for families and faith communities. I pray daily for all of you and I hope that you pray for me. It is the task of the Christian family, the Christian community. There’s a great night prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours that simply says at the end of the day, “Protect me Lord as I stay awake. Watch over me as I sleep. That awake I may keep watch with Christ, and asleep rest in his peace.”

In our reading from Leviticus, we hear the rules about Lepers. They basically are told in no uncertain terms that they are cast out from society and must announce that fact, while at a distance from others, so that others can avoid them. What a sad and lonely existence for them! The Leper in today’s Gospel must have seen something in Jesus – in the way he spoke, in the way he interacted with others, in the compassion with which he treated people. He sees his power and believes in it. He calls out to him, expressing confidence in Jesus’ compassion and trust in Jesus’ power. And Jesus breaks down all barriers between the unclean and the clean, between the outcast and the supposed normal ones. He reaches out and touches the Leper, an act unheard of in his day. He heals the man. The Leper turns to Jesus in his own time of trouble, and Jesus fills him with the joy of salvation.

So Lent is coming. Perhaps this Lent we can do a few things as we fast, pray and give alms. Perhaps we can learn from the characters in today’s Scripture readings. We can be bold in prayer as the Psalmist and the leper are. We can break societal and socioeconomic barriers as Jesus does, and we can imitate Paul who imitates Christ and seek not our own benefit but that of the many. When we do, we will build the kingdom of God. We will make ourselves better people and this world a better place. The Lord will fill us with the joy of salvation

Peace,

P.S. As you know, Lent begins Wednesday, February 14. The Cardinal has suggested celebrating Valentine’s Day one day earlier, so as to keep the prayerful, penitential aspect of the beginning of Lent intact. We will celebrate a Valentines Mardi Gras potluck at 6 pm Tuesday evening in the newly renovated church hall. Plan to join us. Also this weekend is the follow up for the Annual Catholic Appeal. I hope for great participation from Saint John Berchmans. Every dollar over goal comes back to us, to take care of our parish needs. If you haven’t done so, please pledge this weekend.